Future Builders Routeway

Introduction

Building Futures (a collaborative Intermediate Labour Market – ILM – project) was specifically developed to address the demand for skilled labour and take advantage of the employment opportunities created as a result of the Housing Stock Transfer Programme across the Tees Valley and the emergence of newly formed arms length housing management organisations and companies (ALMO’s). Building Futures will offer opportunities at entry level and up to and including level 3 NVQ craft and specialist qualifications. The Partnership is proactive in driving forward the agenda for employment, education and training needs linked to the construction sector.

The project will be delivered across the Tees Valley from Apr 2005 to Mar 2008. 

There are three routes into the project, dependent upon the applicant’s age:

For 17-19 year olds who are not yet ready to sit the full apprenticeship entrance test, they can be placed with a company for up to 26 weeks while receiving a weekly allowance of £70 (subsidised by the project). Trainees will be encouraged to attend college to improve their chances of getting a job.

For 18-24 year olds who are keen to become an apprentice, Building Futures can assist by introducing employers and organising work placements. Trainees are required to sit a national exam, and if successful, Building Futures may be able to offer the company extra funding to help offset the training that apprentices have to undergo or additional training to meet employer needs.

For people of 18 years+, and who have some experience in the construction industry, there is the ILM option. The trainee would be employed by Hartlepool Borough Council for 39 weeks, receiving a wage slightly above the national minimum. They would be based with an employer for 4 days and a local college for 1 day to study towards an NVQ3/other specific qualification.

Specific entry requirements are dependant upon the applicants age and the programme of training.

The course

Building Futures will not only have employed status, a weekly wage or allowance (dependent on target group) but will also be supported by the Coordinator or Project Officer. A Personal Development Plan and Action Plan will be drawn up that will identify and review vocational training needs and soft skill, social skill development.  The project will be centred on beneficiary needs and focus on the very basic skills required to sustain employment, the work ethic.  Building Futures will enable beneficiaries, some of whom may find it hard to return to employment or in fact gain their first employment, to be supported through the initial stages of employment and help overcome barriers that have prevented successful transition into employment in the past.  Referrals will be from a range of partner organisations such as community/voluntary organisations, Job Centre Plus, Connexions, FE colleges and Entry to Employment (E2E) providers. It is anticipated that most beneficiaries will not be eligible for mainstream support, not able to access higher level training because they are not employed (craft level 3,) or will not be engaged with mainstream support for various reasons, that is, those not in education employment or training, (NEET group).

Building Futures project will create opportunity through:

ILM’s that are fully subsidised for thirty nine weeks. Offering flexible training to meet employer demands, leading to NVQ level 3 qualifications and supported with self -employment training to maximise sustained employment opportunities.

Low skilled/semi-skilled will be supported through Building Futures that will provide the opportunity for up-skilling or multi-skilling for unemployed people.  Creating the employment opportunity and paying the rate applicable to second year apprentices will enable those who already have qualifications in a craft skill to develop and achieve higher level qualifications, level 3 and above.

Enhanced Apprenticeship job creation subsidies, to offset additional training costs outside of the NVQ framework or multi-skilling training opportunities.

Allowance based initiative for young people.  £70 week allowance paid to young person disengaged from mainstream provision.   Creating an employment route way in to construction and back in to mainstream training provision.  Further consultation will take place in the first six months of the project to explore the opportunity of Employers contributing to this element, to make allowance up to minimum wage for 17yrs of £111 per week (based on £3:00 hourly rate.

Young people, who obtain their first taste of the world of work through Building Futures will take part in short bite sized training courses specific to the employment opportunity, re-introducing training as part of employment. Encouraging progression from courses such as General Building Operatives on to mainstream NVQ training courses will be part of the Personal Development plan for the young person.  It is anticipated that progression will be on to Foundation or Advanced Apprenticeship programmes and that the employer will continue the employment.

What happens after the course

Various roles within construction will be available.

Funding

The Programme is funded through ONE NorthEast Single Programme operating April 2005 to March 2008, with further proviso for 2008/09 subject to available funds.

For more information, please contact Dionne Payne at skillsnortheast@onenortheast.co.uk